Adam Gilchrist. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Watching left-handed players ruling the game is something that pleases the eyes of fans a lot. Whenever left-handers perform exceptionally, it becomes one of the best moments to recall for cricket fans. Whether you talk about Matthew Hayden ending up as the leading run-getter in the 2007 World Cup or Shaheen Afridi’s extraordinary T20 World Cup 2021 spell against India, these moments fill the hearts of genuine cricket supporters with pleasure.
In the history of this beautiful sport, several left-handers came and succeeded in putting up impressive shows with the bat or ball. Matthew Hayden, Sanath Jayasuriya, Sourav Ganguly, Chaminda Vaas, Mitchell Johnson, Wasim Akram, and many left-handed icons have succeeded in mesmerizing the fans with their impeccable skills. On the occasion of International Lefthanders Day (August 13), it’s the best time to recount some of the records held by the left-handed stalwarts of the sport.
Here are the top 3 records made by left-handed cricketers-
3. Adam Gilchrist notches up the highest individual score in a World Cup final (149)
Adam Gilchrist. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Adam Gilchrist was the best batter of his time and riding on his marvellous batting and wicketkeeping talent, Australia won a lot of games. In the same vein, during the 2007 ODI World Cup, Australia continued their aggressive brand of cricket replicating their sublime run of the 2003 World Cup edition and qualified for the final by remaining unbeatable throughout the competition.
In the tournament, everything was going perfectly from Australia’s point of view except for Gilchrist’s form. Interestingly enough, captain Ricky Ponting didn’t lose his faith in the wicketkeeper batter and included him in Australia’s playing XI for the grand final game at the Kensington Oval, in Barbados.
Playing the summit clash, Gilchrist came heavily on Sri Lanka bowlers and produced a magnificent knock of 149 runs from his bat. In the rain-curtailed game, the Aussies amassed 281 runs in just 38 overs with the help of the veteran’s massive innings. Consequently, Australia vanquished Sri Lanka by 53 runs via DLS (Duckworth-Lewis) method and became the world champions for the record fourth time. Gilchrist’s batting efforts earned him the Player of the Match award. It is worth mentioning that Adam Gilchrist’s knock against Sri Lanka is the highest individual score in the history of the ODI World Cup finals to date.
2. Yuvraj Singh’s fastest T20 International (T20I) fifty against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup
Yuvraj Singh. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Yuvraj Singh’s contribution was essential in India’s success in international cricket from 2007 to 2011. In the 2011 World Cup, he became the Player of the Series for his wonderful all-round performances at the grandest stage, while in the 2007 T20 World Cup, he helped India to win knockout matches with his excellent knocks.
In the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup, India clashed with England in Durban. This was a do-or-die match for both sides as the loss meant the end of the journey for them in the tournament. Batting first after winning the toss, India got a solid start from openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. After the fall of Robin Utthappa, India’s scoring rate seemed quite short of a competitive score considering the nature of the wicket. Thereafter, Yuvraj came in to bat at number five and helped India put up a gigantic total of 218 on the board.
The Southpaw ended up doing something special in the 19th over of the game after Andrew Flintoff tried to have a war of words with him to disturb his rhythm. However, to Flintoff’s nightmare, Yuvraj thrashed six maximums in Stuart Broad’s over and became the first batter in the T20I history to smack six sixes in an over. With the help of these maximums, Yuvraj brought his half-century in just 12 balls and also became the batter to score the fastest fifty in the T20I format. Courtesy of his phenomenal blitzkrieg, England suffered an 18-run defeat in the match. This resulted in Yuvraj Singh becoming the Player of the Match.
1. Brian Lara’s unbeaten 400 vs England in 2004
Brain Lara. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Brian Lara is the most successful batter for the West Indies in Test cricket. His technique and temperament helped him get a lot of success in red-ball cricket. In 2004, when the West Indies hosted England, they got humiliated in the four-match Test series, losing three games in a row. The only thing that went well for the West Indies in the four-match series was their captain Lara’s batting display in the fourth game.
The hosts were playing for pride in the final Test in Antigua. The home skipper, Brian Lara, won the toss and chose to bat first. After losing an early wicket in the form of Darren Ganga, Lara arrived at the crease and batted for more than two days, and scored a historic unbeaten 400. As a result, West Indies piled up on England’s misery by putting up a mammoth 751 runs on the board.
Albeit the Test match concluded in a stalemate, Lara was adjudged the Player of the Match for his history-defining knock. So far, no batter has had success in shattering the southpaw’s record of the 400-run knock while donning a white jersey in the longest format of the sport.